[Ang Mo Kio/Bishan/Thomson/Toa Payoh] Preschools

[littlehelper]

"good" has a wide range, it differs from what each parent expects from the center and all.


Central like orchard area?
There are learning vision,cherie hearts and pat’s schoolhouse centers there. Cherie hearts is a franchise thing so you will have to see each center for yourself. Learning vision roughly the same, teachers and principal different. Pat’s schoolhouse centers are pretty standardised.
I think these are the more expensive ones.

If you have a lower budget,
Other centers like My First Skool- Very big enrolment.
I would think PCF has smaller enrolment and probably better since the teachers have to manage fewer kids?

[faithgurl]

littlehelper:

\"good\" has a wide range, it differs from what each parent expects from the center and all.


Central like orchard area?
There are learning vision,cherie hearts and pat's schoolhouse centers there. Cherie hearts is a franchise thing so you will have to see each center for yourself. Learning vision roughly the same, teachers and principal different. Pat's schoolhouse centers are pretty standardised.
I think these are the more expensive ones.

If you have a lower budget,
Other centers like My First Skool- Very big enrolment.
I would think PCF has smaller enrolment and probably better since the teachers have to manage fewer kids?

Hi littlehelper,

Ya..agree with you good depends on each individual's views. Juz wana have some feedbacks with regards to the principals, teachers, environment and curriculum.

Read that Pat's schoolhouse is good. Maybe I will drop by and have a look. Any other mummies or daddies can comment?

[smurf]

Anyone has comments about MYMCA at bishan branch? :?

[somebodymummy]

Hi trijoy, try visit this one




http://hislittlelighthouse.webs.com/

[faithgurl]

Hi,


Anybody has any comments on these 2 preschools? Kindly advise. Thanks!

[greenbean2011]

hello jul04,



a)\tYkidz Montessori (at Toa Payoh, Lorong 6)
============


last year, when my daughter turned 2.5, I sent her for once a week Saturday morning enrichment Montessori phonics at Ykdiz, under teacher Lin.

my girl is the active type – she can’t concentrate, likes to run around the class, can’t sit still for more than 5 minutes. She can sit right on top of a table top, swing her two legs, be rowdy, refuse to listen !


But teacher Lin very good. She is firm, knows how to handle kids. Immediately after my first visit, she told me my child needs to resolve some disciplinary issue. Once my child can overcome, then only will my girl be able to sit down properly, co-operate with teacher, listen to teacher, obey teacher, learn things from teacher.


The technique she used /applied was soft and gentle, yet firm. She will first play with my girl, get her warm up first. Every week, she’ll teach my girl how to write her own name, by guiding her right hand to hold a pencil to write. After warming up, then she’ll guide her gently to start the phonics proper curriculum.


After sometime, my daughter can focus, can sit still, can concentrate, for long time. Today, she no longer runs around in class, but stays focused.


In one month’s time, teacher Lin run through to help her revise 26 “a to z” sounds phonetically quickly. If my girl not sure how to pronounce certain alphabet sounds, teacher Lin will point out to me, let me know. Ask me help her revise at home, which I did. This way, I know where exactly is my own child’s weakness / areas for improvement. Important thing is - for maximum benefit to the child, it’s good for teacher and parent to work hand in hand together.


After one month’s revision of “a to z” phonetic sounds, teacher Lin then moved on to start teaching my daughter how to blend 3 characters simple words together. eg: under the Pink scheme Montessori “at” series, my daughter can recognise and read aloud words like fat, cat, sat, mat, oat, pat, hat, rat, tat. She learns by - breaking down the beginning of each sound phonetically. Teacher Lin taught her how to break down. At home, I also revise with her. Now, my girl can read simple complete full sentences slowly like “the fat cat sat on the hat on the mat.”, or “the big, fat cat runs after the rat to nab her.”

Now 2011, after half a year spent at Ykidz, my daughter can read very simple storybooks – those type where got one big picture in the centre, but with few words.


Teacher Lin always encourage her. example, this year her class expanded. Got two younger kids born in 2008 join her for Saturday phonics class. Teacher Lin motivates my girl. She asks my daughter (born in 07) to read aloud to the two younger ones simple storybooks that are phonetically sounded. My girl enjoys doing that, because it boosts up her self image, her self confidence. She is the old child at home. But here, she becomes like a big sister or jie-jie to these 2 younger kids. After she finish reading her best to the 2 younger ones, teacher Lin will encourage the class to clap hands for her. She always beam & smile happily ! She look forward excitedly, whenever teacher Lin asks her to read books to younger children.


for other feedback on Ykidz, kindly refer:-
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15922



b)\tTotsville Montessori (at Bishan)
=============


Many parents who sent kids to Totsville all give positive, good feedback.

when you talk to Principal Serene, you can sense her warm heart felt sincerity for kids really to benefit, to learn something useful at the end of the day. She loves children ! She is full of energy and passion for young children !

when you talk to her, you can sense that she truly has welfare of the kids at heart – unlike some principal from other schools whom I’ve talked to, that’re money faced. By talking to such pre-school principals, you can sense they lack that touch of sincerity.

teacher Serene is patient, kind. All the kids love teacher Serene!
the native Chinese teacher teaching kids Chinese - also very good.
everyday, kids sing Chinese songs happily !


there are also parents from Malaysia, Germany (Berlin), China, Thailand, Philippines, other countries who send their kids here to Totsville, during school holidays for full day programme.


last year, I sent my child for playgroup 2 hrs. So I observed what’s happening at Totsville.


come Saturday weekend, Totsville also got Montessori Phonics and comprehensive Maths enrichment programme. School fees very reasonable - for one and half hours duration. Call up Totsville to inquire !


c)\tNewton kindergarten
==============

It’s rumoured that ministers send their grandchildren to this kindergarten.

Because got strong roots in Chinese, prepare kids well for higher Chinese Primary 1, overall curriculum from Nursery onwards is academic.

Yes, arrangement very convenient !

I stay in the East.
my girl is in the PM session.


now, school bus conveniently reach my house morning 9.55 am to fetch her for enrichment class (Creative Art, Speech & drama), starting 10.15 am. All enrichment class lasts one hr duration, from 10.15 am – 11.15 am.


after enrichment lesson ends, then 4 hrs kindergarten programme take over. starts from 11.45 am – 3.45 pm school dismissal daily.


school bus brings her home right to the doorstep, 4.45 pm.
Come heavy rain or sunshine, school bus brings her to school on the dot Mon - Fri, fetch her home in time for dinner.


note:
====
If yr child attends regular AM session, then it’s other way round.
ie. enrichment starts in the afternoon, AFTER the regular AM school dismissal.

[greenbean2011]

hi jul04,


Newton kindergarten hours
=================

Monday to Friday
===========

1st session : 8:30 am to 12:30 am (4 hrs)
2nd session : 11:45 am to 3:45 pm

wef 2011 - all Nursery, K1, K2 classes compulsory 4 hrs.
only Pre-nursery Playgroup - can choose 3 or 4 hrs.


Admission
=======

admission is governed by the age stipulated by Ministry of Education.


•Pre-nursery Playgroup :\tYear that the child turns 3
•Nursery\t :\tYear that the child turns 4
•Kindergarten 1\t:\tYear that the child turns 5
•Kindergarten 2\t:\tYear that the child turns 6


one time registration fees \t\t$ 50
one time refundable deposit \t\t$ 200


Sportball games\t per term \t\t$ 90
miscellaneous fees \t per term\t\t$ 80


school fees per term for:-
================


a) Nursery, K1, K2 (4 hrs)\t\t$ 875
English & Chinese readers per year\t$ 90
subtotal\t\t\t\t$ 1185
add 7% GST\t\t\t$ 82.95
Total\t\t\t\t$ 1267.95
\t


b) Playgroup pre-nursery (4 hrs) \t$ 1100
subtotal\t\t\t\t$ 1320
add 7% GST\t\t\t$ 92.40
Total\t\t\t\t$ 1412.40



c) Playgroup pre-nursery (3 hrs) \t\t$ 800
subtotal\t\t\t\t$ 1020
add 7% GST\t\t\t$ 71.40
Total\t\t\t\t$ 1091.40

[smurf]

Hi green bean,


My boy also attended Totsville last yr. I must say Serene is a very energetic teacher, and she knows how to handle kids...my boy cried the first time he went to school, but after two weeks there, he stopped crying and even enjoyed going to school.

I find that Newton is very good also. But the sch fee is quite high.

I think we have OT. Hahah...

[jul04]

greenbean2011:

hello jul04,



a)\tYkidz Montessori (at Toa Payoh, Lorong 6)
============


last year, when my daughter turned 2.5, I sent her for once a week Saturday morning enrichment Montessori phonics at Ykdiz, under teacher Lin.


b)\tTotsville Montessori (at Bishan)
=============


last year, I sent my child for playgroup 2 hrs. So I observed what’s happening at Totsville.

Comparing YKidz & Totsville, what are your personal thoughts? It's seldom that I encounter a parent who has experience with both of them.

You sent your gal both to Totsville & YKidz? Meaning YKidz for weekend Phonics and Totsville for daily weekday playgroup? Out of curiosity, why not stick to either YKidz or Totsville for both the weekday playgroup & weekend Phonics?

Yeah I called up & talked to Serene. She sounds very patient, explaining the concept of Montessori to me.. telling me the programme for the weekend parent-&-child class, reassuring me that I can call up for a trial anytime etc. Very nice lady indeed! I hope all the teachers in Totsville are nice

As for YKidz, I didn't get to speak much to Yukai. She sounded nice too. I wonder if all Montessori teachers/administrators all sound nice? I'm a bit scared coz sometimes the frontline person sounds very nice, everything also ok, then the class itself in reality is not ok! :shock:

[jul04]

smurf:

Hi green bean,


My boy also attended Totsville last yr. I must say Serene is a very energetic teacher, and she knows how to handle kids...my boy cried the first time he went to school, but after two weeks there, he stopped crying and even enjoyed going to school.

I find that Newton is very good also. But the sch fee is quite high.

Your boy also went to Totsville? For the daily playgroup or weekend? So you switched your boy from Totsville to MMK?

I'm asking coz I'm thinking abt a Montessori playgroup then perhaps pre-nursery first, then switch to a kindy for Nursery onwards. Dunno if there's adjustment problems?